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The CUNY Proficiency Examination:
University Policy and Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to take the CPE?
As of September 1, 2003 all students pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree at CUNY must take and
pass the CPE. Passage of the exam is a requirement for the associate degree, while students pursuing a
bachelor's degree must pass by the time they have completed their 60th credit. Effective September 1,
2003, these requirements apply to all students pursuing these two degrees, no matter when they first
entered CUNY. (Exemptions that previously had been in effect for freshmen who had matriculated at
CUNY before Fall 1999 and for transfers who first arrived before Fall 2000 are no longer in force.)
- Transfer Students from Outside CUNY
- Students transferring within CUNY
- All students transferring within CUNY must fulfill the CUNY basic skills requirements before
transferring.
- Students transferring within CUNY with more than 45 credits should have taken the CPE at
least once before transferring.
- Senior colleges may (but are not required to) admit CUNY students to a baccalaureate program
if they have completed all requirements for the associate degree except passing the CPE. Like
other transfer students, these transfer students must take the exam during the first semester of
baccalaureate study and thereafter as required. These transfer students are not eligible for the
benefits accorded by the articulation policy of 2000 to associate degree recipients at the senior
colleges until they pass the CPE and are awarded the associate degree. Under the articulation
policy, students who have completed an associate degree (AA or AS) are able to transfer all of
their credits to the senior college.
Exemptions
Students who have earned a bachelor's degree or a higher degree from an accredited program are
exempted from CPE requirements.
What are the rules and procedures that apply to taking the CPE?
- You must take the CPE for the first time after you have completed 45 credits. If you are a new
transfer student with 45 or more credits, you will take the CPE in your first semester at CUNY.
- You may take the CPE for the first time during the semester in which you register for your
45th credit.
- You must be in good academic standing—students whose GP A is below 2.0 may not take the
CPE.
- You must have met the CUNY basic skills requirements in reading and writing in order to
qualify to take the CPE.
- You may take the CPE three times and may appeal for a fourth attempt if necessary.
How do I register for the CPE?
You will register for the CPE at your college testing office early in the semester, 2-3 weeks before the
test date:
- Colleges will send letters to students who have completed 45 or more credits reminding them
to register.
- If you have completed 45 or more credits, you must register for and take the CPE even if you
do not receive a letter from your college. You will forfeit one of your chances to take the CPE
if you skip a required administration.
Can the CPE Be Substituted for CUNY-ACT Basic Skills Tests?
Students may no longer meet the CUNY-ACT basic skills tests requirements in reading and writing by
passing the CPE.
How should I get ready for the CPE?
The CPE tests skills that you have developed through the course work you have already completed.
English composition and writing-intensive courses are good preparation for Task I, while the skills
assessed in Task 2 are addressed primarily in social science, science and mathematics courses. If you
have difficulty with writing, arrange to work in the writing or learning center at your college. You can
find the location of your college's learning center in the Campus Resources section of this booklet.
Here are some suggestions for preparation well before the day of the test:
- Become familiar with the CPE format, directions, and grading criteria.
- Every college offers support services for students preparing to take the CPE. Attend an
information session or take a workshop.
- Sample test questions, annotated student responses, and scoring guidelines are presented later
in this booklet. Review this material carefully.
- When you receive the reading selection for Task 1, you will have about two weeks to study it
before the test. Read the selection several times and underline, mark up, highlight, or outline
the important points in the text as you would if you were studying for a cours examination.
Use a dictionary to look up words you do not know.
At the time of the test:
- Plan your answers.
- Follow the directions carefully, answering all parts of the question for each task.
- Summarize only the parts of the readings called for, not the entire reading.
- Avoid plagiarism by making a clear distinction between your own words and the language of
the readings. Identify language or ideas that you take from the readings.
- Explain and support your points fully.
- Keep the reader in mind—focusing your essay, making logical connections between readings
(Task 1) or between the reading passage and data (Task 2).
- Reserve time to edit and correct your work.
What should I bring with me to the CPE session?
You must bring your copy of the reading selection, but no other papers. In addition, you must bring a
pen, a #2 pencil, and picture identification. You may bring one dictionary for use during the test;
however, no electronic spellers or other devices may be used.
What are the arrangements for students with disabilities?
Accommodations based on disabilities will be granted to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact your college testing office if you require
such accommodations.
In rare instances a student with a disability may not reasonably be accommodated within the framework
of the test as currently administered. Such students may demonstrate proficiency through an alternative
means, to be determined by the academic administration of the college in consultation with the disability
coordinator. Students who wish to receive such an accommodation should request it in writing from the
appeals committee at least one month in advance of the test administration that the student wishes to
attend.
How is the CPE scored?
Task 1 and Task 2 are scored separately by different groups of readers, with the responses to each task
being read by two trained readers. If the two readers disagree by more than a minimal amount, the essay
is read by a third reader.
Task 1: Analytical Reading and Writing. Four criteria are used to rate each essay:
- Developing an essay that is a focused response to the writing assignment, making
appropriate connections among all parts of the assignment;
- Demonstrating understanding of the readings through summary and explanation of relevant
material;
- Incorporating, as support for your own thoughts, appropriate references to the readings,
identifying the sources formally or informally;
- Communicating clearly and effectively, using appropriate conventions of language (e.g.,
word choice, grammar, punctuation, spelling).
Task 2: Analyzing and Integrating Material from Graphs and Text. The criteria used to rate
your response are:
- identifying and stating the claims in the reading selection accurately; and
- explaining the relationship between these claims and relevant data in the figures with
accuracy, clarity, and completeness.
How will I learn my results?
You will receive a letter informing you of your results at the end of the semester in which you take the
test.
What happens if I don't pass the CPE the first time I take it?
You may take the CPE three times.
- If you fail the CPE, see a CPE advisor to plan an exam preparation program. You should
plan to retest during the next semester. The advisor may recommend one or more of the
following activities: tutoring, workshops for students repeating the CPE, writing courses, or
writing-intensive courses in a specific discipline.
- If you need a third try, you must see a CPE advisor and complete the recommended
instruction before retesting.
- Remember: if you do not take the CPE when you are required to do so, you forfeit one
chance to take the test.
Who is the CPE Liaison?
Each college has appointed a faculty member to serve as CPE Liaison. The CPE Liaison can assist
students who wish to seek a deferral or appeal. At some colleges, the CPE Liaison is available to review
your test results with you if you did not pass the test and recommend an appropriate test preparation
program. You can find the name of your college's CPE Liaison in the Campus Resources section of this
booklet.
What is a deferral?
A student who has failed the CPE for the first time may request permission from the appeals committee to
defer taking the next required test. After consulting with the CPE Liaison or Adviser, students seeking a
deferral must state in writing to the appeals committee the reason for the request and agree to take the
CPE at the next administration. If the committee grants the appeal, the student will be notified of the
conditions governing the deferral. For specific information on deferrals, please contact your college's
testing office.
How will student appeals be handled?
All appeals must be made in writing to the committee at the college designated for that purpose. You may
appeal to get permission to take the CPE early (before you've registered for the 45th credit), or to take the
test even though you lack one or more of the pre-requisites. In addition, you may request a deferral,
appeal a forfeit, or petition for additional opportunities to test. For specific information on appeals
procedures, please contact your college's testing office.
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